Basic Computer: Hardware-Software Relationship MCQ — 15 Practice Questions with Answers

Explanation

Application software is designed to help the user perform a specific task, such as typing a letter, preparing a report, making a presentation or calculating a worksheet. MS Word is used directly by the user for document creation and editing, so it is application software. A device driver, an assembler and an operating system support the computer's internal working or hardware communication. They are grouped under system software, not application software.

Explanation

Language translators are system software because they help convert programmes into a form the computer can execute. A compiler translates the whole high-level programme into machine code before execution, so I matches 3. An interpreter translates and executes a high-level programme line by line, so II matches 1. An assembler works with assembly language and converts it into machine language, so III matches 2. Therefore the correct matching is I-3, II-1, III-2.

Explanation

A device driver is system software that allows the operating system to communicate with a particular hardware device, so I matches 2. A word processor is application software used to create and edit text documents, so II matches 3. Utility software supports maintenance, such as scanning, backup, compression or cleaning tasks, so III matches 4. A compiler translates a programme written in a high-level language into machine-level form, so IV matches 1. Therefore the correct matching is I-2, II-3, III-4, IV-1.

Explanation

Hardware means the physical parts of a computer, such as the monitor, keyboard, printer, memory and processor. Software is the set of instructions that tells these parts what to do. The cue in the stem is the claim that physical devices alone are enough. In a working computer, hardware and software are interdependent: hardware provides the machine, while software provides the instructions and control. Therefore, the correct principle is that hardware needs software instructions to perform useful work.

Explanation

Firmware shows the close relationship between hardware and software. It is software kept in a hardware component, commonly ROM or flash memory, and it provides low-level instructions needed for starting or controlling a device. That makes statements I and II correct. Statement III is the trap: typing documents is the role of application software such as a word processor. Firmware is not used like a general user application. Hence only statements I and II are correct.